Calico Concert Compendium

What is Chamber Music?

Music played by an ensemble with players numbering between two and ten

Usually performed without a conductor

Each member of the group is the only person playing his/her part in the music

Without the aid of a conductor, the ensemble must master togetherness in tempo and rhythm

The players alternate between being accompanists and soloists within the flow of the music

The musical interpretation is a consensus of all the players’ ideas

At the highest level of artistry, a concert is the result of many hours of rehearsal preparation dedicated to working out these musical issues. It is for these characteristics that chamber music is special. No other art form so beautifully combines the intimacy of personal expression with the excitement of the ensemble dynamic.

The Story of the Wind Quintet

The Wind Quintet (also called Woodwind Quintet) is a standard chamber music ensemble:

1 flute

1 oboe

1 clarinet

1 bassoon

1 horn (French horn)

A “standard” ensemble means that many composers have written and continue to write works for a specific set of instruments.

The Woodwinds

Named “woodwinds” because at one time all these instruments were made of wood.

To change notes, a player covers or opens holes and keys along the tube with the fingers.

Covering the holes makes the tube longer and the pitch lower.

A smaller and/or larger version of the primary instrument (auxiliary) exists for each member of the woodwind family

Flute

High (soprano) range Modern instruments made of metal, usually silver or gold

Cylinder shaped tube, with open-hole mouthpiece (head joint)

Player blows across open hole, splitting the air column and causing it to vibrate

Instrument is held horizontally from the player’s lips, to the player’s right side

Common auxiliaries: piccolo (highest), alto flute (lower)

Oboe

Double-reed: two pieces of cane (similar to bamboo) scraped to

paper thinness on one end, tied together and attached to a small pipe

Player directs air between the two pieces of cane, vibrating them together to create sound

Reeds are usually hand-crafted by the player and last for a limited amount of time

Covers soprano range, though not as high as flute

Instrument body made of extremely dense wood such as grenadilla from Africa, or sometimes rosewood

Slender conical tube (small at one end, gradually expanding)

Main auxiliary: English horn (lower)

Clarinet

Single reed: flat piece of cane, shaved very thinly on one end, attached to a hollow mouthpiece

Player blows across reed into mouthpiece, vibrating the reed

Reeds are produced commercially and like double-reeds have limited life

Extreme range from high to mid-range (soprano, alto, tenor)

Cylindrical tube (uniform diameter) made of grenadilla wood

Auxiliaries: E-flat clarinet (higher), Bass clarinet (lower)

Bassoon

Double-reed like oboe, but larger size and wider proportions

Reed attached to foot-long metal tube at top of instrument (bocal)

Made from hardwood like rosewood or maple

Because of heaviness of instrument, seated player rests instrument on leather strap (seat strap) which is sat upon, relieving bulk of weight from player’s hands